Thursday, 12 April 2012
Citizens Satisfied With Reform Dynamics
A Cabinet sitting was held today, chaired by Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan.
Opening the meeting, Tigran Sargsyan presented the findings of the latest monitoring conducted by the government with a view to getting the citizens’ opinion over the impact of reforms. Monitoring testifies that the majority of the population is satisfied with the ongoing reforms.
The Cabinet decided to extend until December 30, 2016 the term of “Temporary Import” customs regime for freight imported by Ararat Group LLC.
The Company has invested USD 14.5 million to get modern technologies for its new mineral water and non-alcoholic beverage producing facility in Artashat town. The total amount of investment will rise to USD 27 million, with 220 new jobs to be made available over time. The output must comply with international standards. Tigran Sargsyan described the project as effective and producing tangible results.
To restore riverside reinforcements on the River Araxes, the Ministry of Agriculture was allocated AMD 348mn. Experts say the spring freshets on the river will reach the mark of 900 m 3 / sec, which is 18-20% higher than in 2011.
The activities targeted by this decision will be carried out over an extended area covering different communities of Armavir, Syunik and Ararat regions.
To promote green zones throughout the country, the Ministry of Agriculture was given AMD 5mn to be forwarded to Verdurous Country NGO. Under a program to be continued this year, the NGO offered over a hundred thousand planting materials to a number of regional administrations and other organizations in the period between 2010 and 2011. Advising that the NGO is headed by well-known theatrical figure Sos Sargsyan, the Prime Minister thanked him and wished him robust health and every success.
The Executive took note of the progress report over the State-supported disaster zone housing program for 2008-2012. According to the head of government, the document reflects the complete picture of the disaster zone as it gives the breakdown of expenditures made under the Russian loan of USD 250 million. “Our commitments will be honored in full,” the Prime Minister emphasized.
The Ministry of Culture was provided AMD 300,300mn to be forwarded to Book Foundation for preparation of various cultural events under the “500 Years of Armenian Printing” and “Yerevan: World Book Capital – 2012” programs.
The Executive endorsed the proposal on hosting the 2015 Ministerial Summit of the European Higher Education Area, Bologna Secretariat’s 4th Conference, as well as on Armenia’s assuming the Bologna Secretariat from July 1, 2012 through July 1, 2015. The Ministers of Finance and Education and Science were told to allow for the needed amounts in the State budget bills of 2013-2015.
The government backed the proposals on signing the following agreements: agreement between the Armenian and Slovak governments on mutual protection of confidential information and economic cooperation arrangement between the governments of Armenia and Argentina.
